2 year old hitting

[ningaj]

My 2 year old (3 at the end of the month) hits, a lot, generally mostly aimed at me but will occasionally hit his brother (5) too. As well as this he also likes to climb on me, play with my ears, play with my hair, grab my face and kiss me etc etc. Sounds cute but it's all done in a very rough, domineering way.

When he's not like this he is lovely - smiley, sunny, chatty, sweet.

When he started nursery he hit some of the other children, but this has stopped now. Nursery can't think of anything in particular that changed - he just stopped.

I've tried trying to explain to him, moving him away from me, telling him off, naughty step, sent to his room and all manner of other things. I'm literally at the end of my tether. He just laughs at me when I tell him off, or blows raspberries at me.

Please help me with some techniques / ideas I can try to solve this!!!

Don’t focus too much on explanations at first, move him away, or remove yourself, do the naughty step or whatever.
Once he has calmed down then explain that it hurts you (others) and makes you feel sad.
He needs to learn empathy and that his actions are upsetting people.
Usually they will grow out of it, but there isn’t a quick way of stopping this.
Just keep persevering, if you’re finding these methods are no longer working maybe think of something you can take away.
No tablet after lunch, no tv, toy etc..
Some parents would suggest he needs to apologise after his time out but I know I found it difficult to get my son to do that at that age.
Good luck

Once he's calmed down he will apologise - and he can tell me exactly what he is apologising for!! It's just a few minutes after it happens again. And on repeat all day unless he's fully involved / immersed in what he's doing.

Is he trying to express his boredom?
My kid needs running like a dog, I have to take him out for long walks/running/bike ride before he will sit and colour/tablet/play toys for a while.
When he gets whingy and annoying I know he’s lost interest and I do an activity with him.

@Wetwashing00 Sometimes I think. But other times it'll be because I've said no to him, or told him he can't have something, or we've had to do something / go somewhere that he doesn't want. Normal toddler tantrums I guess, it's just the violence that comes with them. He also tantrums with his dad but doesn't hit / kick / bite.

This morning he bit me on the arm because he wasn't allowed a doughnut for breakfast!!